Universal shelving system

ABSTRACT

A decontamination device ( 10 ) includes a washing chamber ( 12 ) defined by a series of sidewalls. Upper and lower shelves ( 30, 32 ) are horizontally disposed within the washing chamber. The lower shelf is a rigid non-removable structure divided into three washing sections ( 42, 44, 46 ). The upper shelf is disposed vertically above the lower shelf and is slidably mounted within the washing chamber. The upper shelf comprises first, second, and third washing sections ( 82   a   , 82   b,    82   c ) and a channel ( 78 ) operatively connected to the three shelf sections. The channel provides cleaning solutions to the shelf sections. Each of the washing sections and the shelf sections receive a spindle header ( 50 ) having a series of spindles ( 58 ) over which glassware is placed. A sealing connector, disposed on each washing section and shelf section, registers with and seals around a manifold of the spindle header and provides cleaning solutions from the channel to the spindle header. The second and third shelf sections of the upper shelf are selectively and individually removable from the washing chamber which provides additional height for larger glassware articles on the lower shelf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the cleaning anddecontamination art. It finds particular application in the washing,sterilizing and disinfecting apparatus typically employed to clean,sterilize and disinfect laboratory glassware, such as volumetric flasks,beakers, test tubes, and the like, and will be described with particularreference thereto. It will be appreciated, however, that the inventionmay be applicable to a wide variety of apparatus used in sanitizing.

[0002] Flasks, beakers, test tubes and other glassware which arecommonly used in laboratories are thoroughly cleaned after use in orderto remove deposits which could contaminate materials subsequentlycontained in the glassware. Glassware is often cleaned manually with abrush. However, this manual procedure is generally undesirable becauseit requires considerable time and effort which could be spent on moreproductive tasks.

[0003] To minimize manual cleaning time, several laboratory glasswarewashing machines have been introduced. Known laboratory glasswarewashing machines operate analogous to household dishwashers whereinglassware is inverted and the mouth and neck are received by a spindleextending vertically from a rack. The rack is selectively moveable inand out of a washing chamber of the machine. Optionally, a secondslidable rack is provided above the first rack for accommodatingadditional glassware. At least one spray arm is typically locatedbeneath the rack which applies upwardly directed wash and rinse spraysfor washing and rinsing the glassware. Heated air for drying theglassware is circulated within the washer chamber during the dryingcycle.

[0004] Although this type of machine effectively cleans and dries avariety of different types of glassware articles, it has some drawbacks.Beakers, flasks, test tubes and other types of glassware come in manydifferent sizes and shapes. For example, test tubes are generallysmaller in width and height than beakers. In addition, graduatedcylinders are manufactured having a wide range of heights and diameters.Flasks and beakers are typically enlarged at bottom portions and requiremore room when being washed. Known glassware washing machines aretypically configured to accommodate only a limited range of sizes andconfigurations of beakers, flasks and test tubes.

[0005] As already noted, known glassware washing machines typically haveracks which are slidable in and out of the washing chamber. Spindlesextend vertically upward from the racks and receive the mouth and neckof the glassware. The height of the spindle directly relates to theheight of the particular glassware to be washed. For example, a tallpiece of glassware is typically received by a relatively tall spindlefor adequate support during glassware washing operations. In contrast, ashorter piece of glassware is placed on a shorter spindle. Moreover,glassware with larger diameters, such as bulb shaped flasks, needadditional spacing between adjacent spindles. Known glassware washingmachines generally include a series of evenly spaced spindles having auniform height. As such, these devices do not efficiently accommodatethe needs of glassware articles having differing sizes and shapes.

[0006] To overcome the foregoing shortcomings, one known device ismanufactured having a removable and replaceable rack system. Such asystem allows an operator to choose from multiple complete racks eachhaving spindles designed to receive a particular size of glassware.Therefore, the washer is adapted to sanitize multiple sizes ofglassware. Although this device is capable of washing several sizes andshapes of glassware, it does so in separate washing cycles and thereforeis not capable of washing differing articles at the same time. This hasobvious efficiency problems due to the increased time which elapsesduring the several washing intervals.

[0007] In addition, washers of the foregoing nature are relatively largeand constructed of heavy material. Because the racks are bulky andawkward, they are difficult to handle during changing periods and oftenrequire the work of at least two people. Additional workers add to thecost operation and slow the changeover process.

[0008] Additional problems are created when glassware washing machinesare constructed with two or more levels of racks. If the height of aglassware article is greater than the spacing between the top and bottomrack or the spacing between the top rack and the top of the washingchamber, the washer will be unable to clean the article. The work may bedone manually or the top rack can be removed to provide additionalheight for larger articles. However, removing the top rack cuts thecapacity in half. When there are only one or a few tall articles,significant washing potential is lost. Such a device may again needadditional workers to remove the heavy and awkward top shelf.

[0009] The present invention provides a new and improved constructionwhich overcomes the above-referenced problems and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, adecontamination unit comprises a washing chamber defined by a series ofwalls. A first shelf is mounted within the washing chamber. The firstshelf has at least one washing section for receiving and supportingarticles to be cleaned during operation of the decontamination unit. Asecond shelf is slidably mounted within the washing chamber verticallyabove the first shelf. The second shelf has at least two shelf sectionsthat are operatively associated. At least one of the shelf sections isselectively detachable from the second shelf and removable from thewashing chamber so that additional space may be provided for largerarticles that need to be decontaminated.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, ashelving assembly for a decontamination unit comprises a shelf having atleast two shelf sections that are operatively associated. Each of thetwo shelf sections has a surface for carrying a set of articles to becleaned. At least one of the shelf sections is detachable and removablefrom the shelf. A channel is operatively connected to each of the shelfsections for providing decontamination solutions to the articles to becleaned. At least one support member is mounted to an outer edge of theshelf for allowing the shelving assembly to be slidably mounted within adecontamination device.

[0012] A first advantage of the present invention is that it providesgreater flexibility and efficiency in decontaminating diverse sizes ofglassware articles simultaneously.

[0013] Another advantage of the present invention is that the device canbe changed over between different configurations quickly with minimallabor.

[0014] Still further advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading andunderstanding the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention may take form in various components andarrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements ofsteps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating a preferredembodiment and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

[0016]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a washing device with itsfront closure raised to expose the interior and with its spindlesections removed in accordance with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a washing device of FIG. 1having a series of spindle headers disposed therein;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a channel having a valvein accordance with the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of a portion of a hollow beamof a shelf section in accordance with the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the washing device with the uppershelf pulled half way out and its second and third shelf sectionsremoved;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the washing device with twosections of the upper shelf removed accommodating relatively largeglassware articles;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third (right) upper shelfsection viewed from below;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the washing device showingthe second (middle) upper shelf section removed and the other sectionsloaded with spindle headers;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the washing device with thesecond (middle) upper shelf section removed and with spindle headers;

[0025]FIG. 10 is an expanded perspective view of the upper shelf withthe center section pulled out;

[0026]FIG. 11 is a perspective partial view of the third shelf sectionfrom below with the rotary sprayer removed;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second (middle) upper shelfsection in accordance with the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a perspective partial view of the second shelf sectionviewed from below; and

[0029]FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a locking assembly forlocking/releasing the upper shelf as a whole from the washer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED INVENTION

[0030] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a washing device 10 includes awashing chamber 12 defined by a back wall 14, opposing sidewalls 16, 18and opposing top and bottom walls 20, 22. A vertically sliding door 24,having a window 26 formed integrally therewith, slides verticallydownward to close the washing chamber during operation. Upper shelf 30and a lower shelf 32 are horizontally disposed within the washingchamber and are preferably made of stainless steel. However, it will beappreciated that the washing device can be manufactured having anydesired number of shelves including only one, three, etc.

[0031] A pump P, located in a cabinet beneath the washing device 10,pushes water through a heater H and into an injector I that communicateswith the upper and lower shelves 30, 32. A detergent dispenser Dcommunicates with the injector and provides detergent to be mixed withthe heated water. The pump P is a two speed pump. When the upper shelfis not being used or is removed, the amount of pressure needed toprovide cleaning solution to the washing chamber is decreased. As such,the pump operates at a first lower speed. When the upper shelf is beingused, the system needs more pressure. Thus, the pump operates at asecond higher speed.

[0032] The lower shelf 32 is preferably a rigid, non-removable structurecomprising a pair of transverse horizontal beams 34, 36 disposed inparallel relation which span the two opposing sidewalls 16, 18. A seriesof C-channels or tracks 40 each extend perpendicularly from a topsurface of one beam to a top surface of the other beam, effectivelydividing the lower shelf into equally sized first, second, and thirdwashing sections 42, 44, 46. However, a lower shelf with any desirednumber of washing sections, such as two or four is within the scope ofthe present invention. The series of tracks are arranged in such amanner that each washing section has a pair tracks 40 spaced from oneanother in parallel relation so that their open channels are facing eachother.

[0033] Each washing section carries a spindle header or rack 50 havingan effective width equal to the distance between the pair of tracks ofeach washing section. The racks are supported by wheels 52 which enablesthem to be easily rolled in and out of the C-channels of the washingsections. It will be appreciated, however, that the rack may besupported by any other means such as low coefficient of friction slideblocks. The racks 50 each include an essentially rectangular frame 54and a grid of supports 56 running the width and length of therectangular frame. Extending vertically upward from the grid of supports56 are a plurality of spindles 58 over which glassware, such as beakers,flasks, and test tubes can be placed for washing. Nozzles 59 on eachspindle direct fluid to the interior of each piece of glassware. Thespindle size and spacing varies with each rack in order to accommodatedifferent sizes of glassware. In the illustrated embodiment, up to threedifferent types of racks can be inserted into the three washing sectionsof the lower shelf at any given time.

[0034] Horizontally extending upper and lower flanges 60, 62 of theC-channels prevent substantial vertical movement of the racks duringwashing operations. The lower flange 62 of the C-channel is wider thanthe upper flange 60. To prevent backward and forward movement of theracks during operation, the rack wheels fall into apertures 64 (see FIG.5) located at predetermined positions along the lower flange of theC-channels. Alternatively, recesses, protrusions, or bumps may beprovided to hinder forward and backward movement of the racks.

[0035] In order to provide water, soap, etc. to the lower shelf 32, amember 66 extends perpendicularly from sidewall 16 and travels beneaththe lower shelf until it terminates at the approximate center of thethird washing section 46. A substantially rectangular channel 68distributes washing liquids to each section. First, second, and thirdfluid sealing connectors, such as diaphragms or membranes 70, 72, 74,are operatively associated with a top surface of the rectangular channeland are positioned at the approximate center of the first, second, andthird washing sections 42, 44, 46, respectively. When the racks 50 areinserted into each washing section, each has an inlet aperture whichregisters with the membrane beneath that particular washing section.Under fluid pressure, the membranes expand and seal around the inletaperture directing washing liquid into manifolds 75 which direct waterto each spindle 58 of the racks. Spray from the nozzles 59 on eachspindle assure that the interior of each piece of glassware isthoroughly washed.

[0036] The upper shelf 30 is disposed vertically above the lower shelfand has first and second side support members 76 a, 76 b which slidablyconnect the upper shelf to the opposing sidewalls 16, 18 at apredetermined or adjustable height. Since the upper shelf is slidablyconnected to the opposed sidewalls 16, 18, the entire upper shelf iscapable of sliding in and out of the washing chamber as shown in FIG. 5.A channel 78 extends across the back edge of the upper shelf and bendsforward 90° upon reaching members 76 a, 76 b. After bending 90°, thechannel terminates below the side support members at a predeterminedlocation. An inlet valve 80 (see FIG. 3) is located on a side surface ofthe channel which allows water, soap, etc. to enter the channel. Thechannel then distributes the washing liquids around the upper shelf.

[0037] The upper shelf 30 comprises a first shelf section 82 a, a secondshelf section 82 b, and a third shelf section 82 c. Although the upperdevice will be described having three shelf sections, it will beunderstood that any number of shelf sections, such as two or four, iscontemplated by the present invention. First and second oppositely facedtracks or C-channels 86, 88, identical to the tracks 40 used for thelower shelf 32, are mounted back to back and effectively partition thefirst and second shelf sections 82 a, 82 b. Similarly, third and fourthoppositely faced tracks 90, 92 effectively partition the second andthird shelf sections 82 b, 82 c. Spindle headers or racks 50, identicalto those used for the lower shelf 32, are carried by each shelf section.

[0038] Each shelf section includes a front member 94 a, 94 b, 94 chaving an effective width equal to the width of a rack 50. The frontmember comprises a vertical face 96 a, 96 b, 96 c and upper and lowerbackwardly extending flanges. Each front member defines twosubstantially rectangular openings. On the first and the third shelfsections 82 a, 82 c, the face of the front member has a canted outeredge 98 a, 98 c.

[0039] Each shelf section further includes a hollow rectangular beam 110a, 110 b, 110 c extending longitudinally between their front member 94a, 94 b, 94 c and channel 78 in order to provide water, soap, etc. tothe shelf sections. First, second, and third fluid sealing connectors112 a, 112 b, 112 c, such as membranes or diaphragms, each having afluid outlet are operatively associated with an approximate center ofthe rectangular beams 110 a, 110 b, 110 c respectively. As the fluidpressure in the sealing connectors increases, the connectors expand andseal around the inlet aperture of an associated rack, thereby directingwashing liquid from the fluid outlets into the rack manifolds 75 whichdirect water to each spindle 58 of the racks.

[0040] First spray arms 114 and second spray arms 116 are rotatablymounted beneath each rectangular beam for providing water, soap, etc. tothe exterior of the glassware articles. Holes are provided in the sprayarms at a variety of locations for directing water, soap, etc. in alldirections. The first and second spray arms are mounted on first andsecond hubs 118 a, 118 b (see FIG. 4) respectively, which rotate thefirst and second spray arms in different horizontal planes in order toprevent them from colliding.

[0041] In order to accommodate glassware articles having a heightgreater than the distance between the upper and lower shelves 30, 32 orthe upper shelf and the top wall 20, the second and third shelf sections82 b, 82 c are individually removable. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6,the washing device is shown with the second and third shelf sectionsremoved. With both the second and third shelf sections removed, thewashing chamber 12 can accommodate small, medium, and large articlessimultaneously.

[0042] To allow insertion and removal of the second and third shelfsections, first and second openings 120, 122 are provided in channel 78for receiving the hollow rectangular beams 110 b, 110 c of the secondand third shelf sections 82 b, 82 c respectively. First and second flapvalves 124, 126 are mounted to channel 78 to close the first and secondopenings 120, 122 when a self section is removed. When it is desired touse the second and third shelf sections, they are inserted into thevalves 124, 126, respectfully, and suspended in the washing chamber in acantilevered manner.

[0043] Removing the second and third shelf sections merely requires anoperator to manually urge the rectangular beams 110 b, 110 c from thefirst and second openings 120, 122 respectfully. Because the sectionscomprise only one third of the entire upper shelf, they are relativelyeasy to handle and remove when compared to an entire upper shelf. Asillustrated, racks for larger articles having fewer spindles which arespaced further apart from one another can be used when the second and/orthird shelf section(s) is/are removed.

[0044] With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first shelfsection 82 a is preferably a rigid non-removable structure. However, thewashing device can be designed having a removable first section ifdesired. The first support member 76 a has a flat bottom surface 136which forms the outer edge of the first shelf section 82 a. The flatbottom surface of the first support member and a lower flanged portionof the first track 86 support a rack 50 carried by the first shelfsection. A series of tabs 138 extend horizontally inward from the firstsupport member which with bottom surface 136 prevents substantialvertical movement of the rack 50 at the outer edge of first shelfsection. Upper and lower flanges of the first C-channel prevent verticalmovement of the rack at the inner edge of the first shelf section. Toprevent forward and backward movement of a rack during washingoperations, the wheels 52 of the rack fall into apertures 144 located atpredetermined positions along surface 136 and the lower flange of thefirst C-channel. Alternatively, recesses, protrusions, or bumps may beprovided to hinder forward and backward movement of the racks.

[0045] If only a few large glassware articles need to be cleaned, it maybe desirable to remove only one shelf section in order to maximize thedevice's washing potential. When two upper shelf sections are beingused, the third section 82 c is preferably placed in the washing chamber12 along with the first section 82 a (see FIGS. 8 and 9). However, anytwo sections may be used without going outside the scope and meaning ofthe present invention.

[0046] Turning now to FIG. 7, the third shelf section 82 c comprises theopposed third and fourth tracks 90, 92 which extend backwardly from atop surface of front member 94 c. In addition hollow rectangular beam110 c extends backwardly from a central portion of front member 94 c.Just before terminating, the rectangular beam bends downward, preferably450, and then back to horizontal. Such a design facilitates insertion ofthe rectangular beam into the opening of the second valve 126. The thirddiaphragm 112 c is operatively associated with a top surface ofrectangular beam 110 c. First and second spray arms 114, 116 arerotatably mounted beneath rectangular beam 110 c on horizontal planesdifferent from one another. A guiding bar 146 extends between therectangular beam and the opposed tracks to maintain the appropriatespacing therebetween and to facilitate proper alignment when the thirdshelf member is placed into the washing chamber.

[0047] With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, when use of the third shelfsection is desired, rectangular beam 110 c of the third shelf section isinserted into the opening of the second valve 126 so that it issuspended in a cantilevered manner. Preferably, pinch fingers 150 aremounted to channel 78 to engage the ends of the opposed tracks and holdthem in proper position.

[0048] The second support member 76 b has a flat bottom surface 156which forms the outer edge of the third shelf section 82 c. A fastener158 (see FIG. 11), extending from beneath the horizontal flange of frontface 94 c, connects the bottom surface 156 of the second support memberto the first shelf section. The flat bottom surface 156 of the secondsupport member and a lower flanged portion of the fourth track 92 areadapted to support a rack 50. A series of tabs 160 extend horizontallyinward from the second support member which with bottom surface 156prevents substantial vertical movement of the rack 50 at the outer edgeof third shelf section. Upper and lower flanges of the fourth C-channel92 prevents vertical movement of the rack at the inner edge of the firstshelf section. To prevent forward and backward movement of the rackduring washing operations, the wheels 52 of the rack fall into apertures166 located at predetermined positions along surface 156 and the lowerflange of the fourth C-channel. Alternatively, recesses, protrusions, orbumps may be provided to hinder forward and backward movement of theracks.

[0049] If only relatively small glassware articles need be cleaned, thesecond shelf section 82 b may be placed in the washing chamber with thefirst and third shelf sections 82 a, 82 c (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Referringto FIG. 12, the second shelf section comprises rectangular hollow beam110 b extending from front member 94 b. Just before terminating, therectangular beam bends downward, preferably 45°, and then back tohorizontal. The second diaphragm 112 b is operatively associated with atop surface of rectangular beam 110 b. The first and second spray arms114, 116 are rotatably mounted beneath rectangular beam 110 b onhorizontal planes different from one another.

[0050] Turning back to FIG. 10, rectangular beam 110 b is inserted intothe opening of the valve 124 when use of the second shelf section isdesired. The second and third tracks 88 and 90 form the outer edges ofthe second shelf section once the second shelf section has been fullyinserted. Fasteners 170, 172 (see FIG. 13), extending from beneath theflange of front member 94 b, attach the second shelf section to thesecond and third tracks 88, 90. In order to prevent forward and backwardmovement of the rack 50, the wheels 52 of the rack fall into apertures174 provided in the lower flanges of the second and third tracks.Additionally, the upper and lower flanges of tracks 88, 90 preventsubstantial vertical movement of the rack during washing operations.

[0051] When it is desirable to use only the lower shelf 32, the uppershelf may be completely removed. First and second locking assemblies180, 182 are mounted to the two support members 76 a, 76 b respectivelyfor allowing removal of the upper shelf. Preferably, each lockingassembly includes a lever 184 (see FIG. 14) which is manually activatedto unlock the top shelf and allow it to be removed. However, any knownlocking assembly is within the scope of the present invention.

[0052] The present invention provides a washing device capable ofsanitizing small, medium, and large glassware articles simultaneously ina multi-level system, thereby maximizing the efficiency and washingpotential of the machine. In addition, because the shelf assembly isdivided into relatively small and easy to handle sections, the requirednumber of workers to operate the machine is minimized. Importantly, theinvention can be incorporated into already existing machines.

[0053] The present invention has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations willoccur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. For example, the upper shelf could be manufactured withmore or less than three shelf sections. In addition, the washing devicecould be manufactured with more or less than two shelves. It is intendedthat the invention be construed as including all such modifications andalterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claimsor the equivalents thereof.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments, the invention is nowclaimed to be:
 1. A washer comprising: a washing chamber defined by aseries of walls, a first shelf mounted within the washing chamber havingat least one shelf section for receiving and supporting articles to becleaned during operation of the decontamination unit, and a second shelfmounted within the washing chamber vertically above the first shelf, thesecond shelf having at least two shelf sections that are operativelyassociated, at least one of the at least two shelf sections beingselectively detachable from the second shelf and removable from thewashing chamber so that additional space may be provided for largerarticles on one side of the first shelf.
 2. The washer according toclaim 1, further comprising a series of removable racks that arereceived by the at least one shelf section of the first shelf and theshelf sections of the second shelf, the racks having a plurality ofvertically extending spindles over which glassware is placed, the racksdiffering in spindle size and spindle spacing for accommodatingdifferent sizes of glassware.
 3. The washer according to claim 2,wherein the at least one washing section of the first shelf and theshelf sections of the second shelf each include a front member and ahollow washing fluid carrying beam extending therefrom.
 4. The washeraccording to claim 3, wherein: a washing liquid outlet is defined ineach hollow beam of the at least one shelf section of the second shelffor providing decontamination solutions to articles to be cleaned; eachrack received by the second shelf section includes a manifold with awashing liquid inlet that communicates with the washing liquid outlet,the manifold conveying received washing liquids to nozzles in thespindles.
 5. The washer according to claim 3, wherein at least one sprayarm is rotatably mounted to the hollow beam of each shelf section of thesecond shelf.
 6. The washer according to claim 3, further comprising achannel disposed around at least a portion of the periphery of thesecond shelf for providing decontamination solutions to the secondshelf.
 7. The washer according to claim 6, wherein the channel has aseries of openings that communicate with an open end of the hollow beamsof the shelf sections of the second shelf so that washing solutions canbe provided from the channel to each of the shelf sections.
 8. Thewasher according to claim 7, wherein the shelf sections of the secondshelf are removable by manually urging the hollow beam of the shelfsection to be removed from the corresponding opening of the channel andwherein the channel includes valves which close when the shelf sectionsare removed.
 9. The washer according to claim 2, wherein each of theshelf sections of the second shelf have horizontally spaced first andsecond surfaces for supporting the racks.
 10. The washer according toclaim 9, wherein the horizontally spaced first and second surfacesinclude a series of impediments which prevent forward and backwardmovement of the racks during operation.
 11. The washer according toclaim 1, wherein the entire second shelf is removable from the washingchamber.
 12. The washer unit according to claim 11, wherein a pumpselectively operable between a first low speed and a second high speedcommunicates with the first and second shelves and pumps cleaningsolutions through the washing chamber, the pump operating in low speedwhen the second shelf is removed from the washing chamber and high speedwhen the second shelf is in use.
 13. A shelving assembly for a liquidcleaning unit comprising: a shelf having at least two shelf sectionsthat are operatively associated, each of the at least two shelf sectionshaving a surface for carrying a set of articles to be cleaned, at leastone of the at least two shelf sections being detachable and removablefrom the shelf; a channel operatively connected to each of the at leasttwo shelf sections for providing cleaning solutions to the articles tobe cleaned; and at least one support member mounted to an outer edge ofthe shelf for allowing the shelf to be slidably mounted within acleaning unit.
 14. The cleaning unit according to claim 13, wherein theshelf sections of the shelf each include a front member and a hollowbeam extending therefrom.
 15. The cleaning unit according to claim 14,wherein a cleaning liquid outlet is provided in each hollow beam of theshelf sections of the shelf.
 16. The cleaning unit according to claim14, wherein at least one spray arm is rotatably mounted to the hollowbeam of each shelf section.
 17. The cleaning unit according to claim 14,further comprising a channel disposed around at least a portion of theperiphery of the shelf for providing decontamination solutions to thehollow beams of the shelf.
 18. The cleaning unit according to claim 17,wherein the shelf sections of the shelf are removable by manually urgingthe hollow beam of the shelf section to be removed from a correspondingopening in the channel.
 19. The cleaning unit according to claim 13,further comprising a series of removable racks that are received by theshelf sections of the shelf, the racks having a plurality of verticallyextending spindles over which glassware is placed, the racks differingin spindle size and spindle spacing for accommodating different sizes ofglassware.
 20. The cleaning unit according to claim 19 wherein: a washerliquid outlet is defined in each hollow beam of the at least one shelfsection of the second shelf for providing decontamination solutions toarticles to be cleaned; each rack received by the second shelf sectionincludes a manifold with a washing liquid inlet that communicates withthe washing liquid outlet, the manifold conveying received washingliquids to nozzles in the spindles.
 21. A method of washing comprisingthe steps of: removing at least one section from a top shelf that isdisposed in a washing chamber and has at least two removable shelfsections that are operatively associated; placing articles to be cleanedin a bottom shelf disposed vertically beneath the top shelf and in anyremaining shelf sections of the top shelf; closing the washing chamberafter the desired quantity of articles have been placed in the washingchamber; circulating washing fluid through the washing chamber so thatthe articles can be cleaned; opening the washing chamber upon completionof a washing cycle and removing the clean articles.
 22. The method ofwashing according to claim 21, wherein the removing step includesremoving the entire top shelf from the washing chamber.